MSP Mary Fee has called for a global effort to end the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM).
The West Scotland politician spoke during a debate supporting International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.
In Scotland, it is estimated that 24,000 living in the country today were born in lands that practise FGM and 12 women were killed as a result of so-called honour-based violence, she noted.
Speaking during the debate, Mrs Fee stated: “The practice of FGM and honour-based violence is driven by the deep-rooted unequal power relationship between men and women across the globe
“Education is key to tackling FGM and honour-based violence.
“A grass-roots approach that aims to alter cultural views on FGM might be a slow process, but it is a necessary one and an effective means in the fight to eradicate FGM across the globe.
“It is important to teach young boys and men that FGM is an extremely dangerous procedure that is not a religious requirement, a prerequisite for marriage or a rite-of-passage ritual.
“It is quite simply an unnecessary, barbaric act that violates women’s and girls’ human rights.”
